Magic Acquire Ariza, Hardaway for Francis

Orlando sends Steve Francis to New York; Waives Bo Outlaw

Trevor Ariza

Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have acquired forward Trevor Ariza and the expiring contract of guard Anfernee Hardaway from New York in exchange for guard Steve Francis, Assistant General Manager Otis Smith announced today. In addition, the team has waived forward Bo Outlaw.

“As an organization, you always look for ways to improve your team, both presently and in the future,” said Smith. “The moves we have made today and last week (Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo from Detroit) continue to build a solid foundation around our core players, such as Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. In addition, this particular deal has allowed us to gain significant salary cap flexibility in the future.”

Ariza (6’8”, 200, 6/30/85) has played in 36 games this season with the Knicks, averaging 4.6 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.3 apg. and 1.19 stlpg. in 19.7 minpg. He has made 10 starts, averaging 5.6 ppg., 4.5 rpg., 2.1 apg. and 1.80 stlpg. in 24.9 minpg. Ariza has scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 13 points on Nov. 13 @ Sacramento. More active on the defensive end, he has recorded at least one steal in 22 games and two-or-more steals 14 times.

Originally selected by New York during the second round (43rd overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Ariza has played in 116 career NBA regular season games, all with the Knicks, averaging 5.5 ppg., 3.3 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 18.0 minpg.

Penny Hardaway

“The moves we have made during the last few days are geared to grow and improve our team,” said Magic Head Coach Brian Hill. “Trevor (Ariza) is a young, athletic small forward, who will fit in defensively with what we are trying to accomplish. I genuinely like Steve as a person and wish him nothing but the best.”

Hardaway (6’7”, 220, 7/18/71) has appeared in only four games this season for the Knicks, averaging 2.5 ppg., 2.5 rpg. and 2.0 apg. in 18.0 minpg. He has appeared in 688 career NBA regular season games with Orlando, Phoenix and New York, averaging 15.4 ppg., 5.1 apg., 4.5 rpg. and 1.61 stlpg. in 34.0 minpg. Hardaway spent his first six seasons with the Magic, appearing in 369 games and averaging 19.0 ppg., 6.3 apg., 4.7 rpg. and 1.95 stlpg. in 37.2 minpg. from 1993-99.

Francis has played in 46 games (45 starts) this season for Orlando, averaging 16.2 ppg., 5.7 apg., 4.8 rpg. and 1.11 stlpg. in 37.4 minpg. He has appeared in 498 career NBA regular season games with Houston and Orlando, averaging 19.4 ppg., 6.4 apg., 6.0 rpg. and 1.56 stlpg. in 39.3 minpg.

Outlaw has appeared in 14 games this season for the Magic, averaging 1.6 ppg. and 2.4 rpg. in 11.8 minpg.